Expansible wrist watch band, bracelet, or the like



May 1945- A. SZEGLIN ETAL 2,376,633

EXPANSIBLE WRIST WATCH BAND, BRACELET, OR THE LIKE Filed June .26, .1941

, 5 I 1 ,1 I i I all. 5 i l I i 3nnentor$ Auzmzaw S'ZEQUN AND 83 JACQUES KRHSLER Wit/A o (Ittorneg hand,

pi ot ins. I

Patented May 22, 1945 expansions wnrs'r wa'ron mun,

BRACELET, on THE LIKE 7 Andrew Szeglin, Hempsteafl, and Jacques Kreisler, New Rochelle, N. 'Y., assignors to Jacques Kreisler Manufacturing Corporation,

North Bergen, N. 1., a corporation New Jersey Application June 26, 1941, Serial No. 399.830

6 Claims.

This invention relates to expansible chains for articles: of personal wear and is intended primarily for use in bracelets or wrist watch straps or bands.

In accordance with the present invention the expansible' bracelet or band comprises a plurality of transversely extending links pivotally connected to each other only at their ends and provided with resilient means for holding the links in band-contracting relation and permittingrelativemovement of said links in band-expanding relation,whereby the band or bracelet is adjustable in size, within certain limits, and can be slipped over the hand'in putting the bracelet on "or taking it oil the wrist without unfastening I the" ends or other parts without requiring the use Fig. 2 is a bottom view of part of the wrist watch band or bracelet shown in Fig. 1, in the contracted condition of said band, parts of the terminal members of the band being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view,'on an enlarged scale, onthe line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top view of several of the connected links of the band illustrated in Fig. 1, in an expanded condition thereof; V r

Fig. 5 is a top view, on a larger scale, of several v of the connected links of the band shown in Fig.

1, the outer or shell-like members of the top links being removed for the purpose of illustration; v

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the inner top link member;

of special connecting members, Further, in accordance with one former the present invention the bracelet or band comprises link members having openin s therein at their opposite ends and companion link members provided at their oppositej ends' 'w'ith integral tubular pivot pins I which pivotally'en'gage'said first mentioned link membersin said openings thereof for pivotally 'connecti'ngthe adjacent links to each other, said tubular pivot pins serving also as holders for helicalfsprings which resiliently hold the companion links in band-contracting relation. Further, in

accordance withthe present invention the com-' panion link niembers 'are constructed in such manner to facilit'atethe securement of the "ends of the helical springs thereto.

"' In'the expansible bracelets or bands of the present invention, and in the form thereof wherein the pivotal connections are constituted by tubular pivot pins provided on certain of the link members as referred to above for engagement" in openings in companion link members, said link members thus pivotally connected to each other'are disposed within companion link members of shell-like construction which may be of various ornamental forms or which may be ornamented'invarious ways. On the other in other formso'f thefinvention. the links are constituted by shell-like members which are pivotally] connected to each other by separate complete understanding of the in- "vennon reference isto behad to the following description and, to the accompanyingillustrative F18; 1 is a top ,view of a that watch band :or

ti-acted or said band;

Fig. 7 is a sectional viewton the line 1-1 of Fig. 8 is a planview of the link member illustrated in Fig. 6, showing said link member in the condition thereof prior to the bending of the spring-retaining elements;

Fig. 9 is a side view in elevation of theouter top link member; a

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on a smaller scale on the line llll0 of Fig.3;

Fig. 11 is a top view of one of the bottom links;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line 12-42 of Fig. 1-1;

Fig. 13 is a bottom view of link member; and I I Fig. 14 is a bottom view of several of the connected links of vthe band illustrated in-Fig, 1,

the inner bottom T the outer or shell-like members of the bottom links being removed for the purpose of illustration.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail, the expansible chain l0 embodying the invention forms part of a wrist watch bracelet or band and for that purpose is connected to the terminal parts 12 of said band by which-the latter is attached to the wrist watch.- The expansible chain l0 comprises a plurality of top links H! disposed in side by side relation and extending transversely of. the band. Said band also comprises a plurality of bottom links it, as-shown inFig. 2, disposed in side by side relation and also extending transversely of the band although at a different angle described as top links and bottom links, respectivelv, for the. sake ofconvenience in reference,

but it will be understood that the relatio'ncan be reversed whereby links 16 are the top links ofthe band and links M are the bottom links thereof. As hereinafter more particularly described. links I are pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the adjacent ends of adjacent links ,7 their pivotal connections are provided with spring means, hereinafter to be detailed. which hold the link in the band-contracting relation illustrated in Fig. 1 but which permit the links to be moved to band-expanding relation illustrated in Pig. 4. It will be understood that links I and" i8 are preferably formed of sheet metal.

Each link It comprises an outer or shell-like link member l8 and an innerlink member 28 which fits easily. but not loosely, into link member l8. Said link member2l| is provided near its opposite ends with circular openings 22 and with integral prongs 28 which are initially formed as illustrated in Fig. 8 and which are bent over the body portion of said link member to occupy the positions illustrated in Fig. 6. 28 is assembled with link member l8 edge portions 28 of outer link member II are bent over the outer surface of companion inner link member 28, thereby to secure these companion link members together.

Each link It comprises an outer or shell-like link member 28 and a companion inner link member 28 which fits easily, but not loosely, into link member 28. Inner link member comprises a body portion 82 having a portion thereof provided with a recess 24 therein defined by a peripherally extending lip 26, which is at the bottom of said link member when the latter forms part of the bottom link. Tubular projections or pivot pins 28 which project transversely of link member 28 are hollow and, as here shown, are formed integrally with body portion 82 adjacent the opposite ends thereof and the openings 48 of said tubular portions communicate with said recess 28. When companion link members 28 and 28 are assembled, portions 42 of outer link member 28 are bent over the outer surface of inner link member 28 between the tubular portions 28 of said last mentioned link member for holding these link members in assembled relation.

Shells 28 are shaped so that they can be close to each other when the bracelet is in the contracted condition. For this purpose, said shells and the companion inner link members, fitted therein, are preferably shaped as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 13, respectively. More particularly, it will be noted that shell 28 is defined by a line 28 and by an arcuate end portion 28a at each side thereof but in reversed relation at opposite sides, respectively, of said shell. By reference to Fig. 13, it will be observed that inner link member 28 is similarly shaped so as to fit into the companion shell 28. Shell l8 and inner link member 28 are defined at their edges by straight parallel lines connected by arcuate lines at the opposite ends of said members as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 10. As thus shaped, the links are enabled to lie close to each other and also permit simplification of the dies for forming the link members from fiat sheet-metal stock.

In assembling links H and I, the tubular pivot pins 28 of link member 28 of link I 8 is projected through the opening 22 at the adjacent end of inner link member 28 of link I, and the outer end portion 84 of pivot pin 28 is upset over the inner surface of inner link member 28 for holding said link members 28 and 28 again t s tion from each other. It will be understood that pivot pins 28 constitute means for pivotally connecting the link to each other. Said pivot pins i8 andat When link member scribed except 14, while asvaess 28 also constitute means for the springs 88 which rmiliently hold links I8 and II in bracelet or band-contracted condition and which resiliently oppose but permit the relative movement of said links in bracelet-expanding relation. One end 48 of each spring extends into recess 28 of inner link member 28 and abuts the inner surface of lip 28, as clearly shown in Fig.

holding in position member 28, as clearly illustrated in Pig. 5. After the inner link members 28 and 28 are thus assembled with each other and with springs 88, the companion outer or shell-like link understood that the latter may be embodied in other suitable forms and that in the illustrated form certain changes in details of construction and in the arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to the construction herein specifically shown or dcto the extent which may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An expansible chain for an article of personal wear comprising a series of links pivotally connected to each other only at points adjacent the ends thereof, aitemate links of said series of links comprising members each provided with a pair of openings therein near its opposite ends and the intervening links between said alternate links comprising members each provided near its opposite ends with a pair of integral tubular pivot pins which pivotally engage adjacent ends, respectively, of adjacent pairs of said alternate links in said openings therein whereby all of said links are pivotally connected to each other in series, said pair of tubular pivot pins projecting in spaced relation from one side of the link member and the opposite side of the latter having a recess therein in which the adjacent ends of the openings of said pair of pivot pins terminate, and a pair of helical springs positioned in each pair of tubular pivot pins, respectively, co-axialiy therewith, the adjacent ends of each pair of springs engaging th two alternate links, respectively, which are engaged by the companion pair of pivot pins, and the other adjacent ends of the pair of helical springs engaging the companion intervenlng link member in said recess for resiliently opposing the relative movement of the adjacent links, respectively, of th chain in chain-expanding relation.

2. An expansible chain for an article of personal wear comprising a series of links pivotally connected to each other only at points adjacent the ends thereof. alternate links of said series of links comprising inner members each provided th a pair of openings therein near its opposite ends and the intervening links between said alternate links comprising inner members each provided near its opposite ends with a pair of integral tubular pivot pins which pivotally engage adjacent ends, respectively, of adjacent pairs of said alternate links in said openings therein whereby all of said links are pivotally connected to each other in series, and helical springs positioned in said tubular pivot pins axially thereof, respectively, said springs having their opposite ends in engagement with companion pivotally connected links, respectively, for resiliently opposing relative movement of said links in chainexpanding direction, said inner members of said alternate links being flat and having bent portions which are engaged by the adjacent ends, respectively, of companion springs.

3. An expansible chain for an article of per sonal wear comprising a series of links pivotally connected to each other only at points adjacent the ends thereof, alternate links of said series of links comprising members each provided with a pair of openings therein near its opposite ends and the interveninglinks between said alternate links comprising members each provided near its opposite ends with a pair of integral tubular pivot pins which pivotally engage adjacent ends, respectively, of adjacent pairs of said alternate links in said openings therein whereby all of said links are pivotally connected to each other in series, and helical springs positioned in said tubular pivot pins axially thereof, respectively, said springs having their opposite ends in engagement with companion pivotally connected links, respectively, for resiliently opposing relative movement of said links in chain-expanding direction, said alternate links having portions thereof bent over the adjacent ends, respectively, of companion springs for holding said ends of the companionsprings in position, and said intervening links each having a recess in which the other ends, respectively, of a pair of the companion springs are positioned in said engagementwith said intervening links.

4. An expansible chain for an article of personal wear comprising a series of links pivotally connected to each other only at point adjacent the ends thereof, alternate links of said series of links comprising members each provided with a pair of openings therein near its opposite ends and the intervening links between said alternate links comprising members each provided near its opposite ends with a pair Of integral tubular pivot spectively, of adjacent pairs of said alternate links in said openings therein whereby all of said links are pivotally connected to each other in pins which pvotally engage adjacent ends, re-

springs having their opposite ends in engagement with companion pivotally connected links, respectively, for resiliently opposing relative movement of said links in chain-expanding direction, said alternate links having portions thereof bent over the adjacent ends, respectively, of companion springs for holding said ends of the companion springs in position, said intervening links having recesses in which the other ends, respectively, of the companion springs are positioned in said engagement with said intervening links, and an outer link member connected to each of said pivotally connected link members and covering the same and the adjacent ends of said springs.

5. An expansible bracelet or wrist watch band comprising an expansible chain formed of a series of links pivotally connected to each other only at points adjacent the ends thereof, and spring means connected to adjacent links at said ends thereof for resiliently opposing the relative movement of the adjacent links, respectively. of the chain in chain-expanding relation, the adjacent end portions of alternate links overlapping the adjacent end portions of adjacent intermediate links, respectively, in surface to surface relation, said alternate links being inclined lengthwise thereof to the longitudinal line of the band and the intermediate links extending lengthwise thereof transversely of said longitudinal line of the band substantially at right angles thereto in the substantially contracted condition of said band.

6. An expansible bracelet or wrist watch band comprising an expansible chain formed of a series of links pivotally connected to each other only at point adjacent the ends thereof, and spring means connected to adjacent links at said ends thereof for resiliently opposing the relative movementof the adjacent links, respectively, of the chain in chain-expanding relation, the adjacent end portions of alternate links overlapping the adjacent end portions of adjacent intermediate links, respectively, in surface to surface relation. said alternate links being inclined lengthwise thereof to the longitudinal line of the band and theintermediate links extending lengthwise thereof transversely of said longitudinal line of the band substantially at right angles thereto in the substantially, contracted condition of said band, the surface of each of said intermediate links adjacent the overlapping surfaces of two of said alternate links being substantially covered by the adjacent overlapping end portions of the two adjacent alternate links in the contracted and partially expanded condition of said band.

ANDREW SZEGLIN. JACQUES KREHSLER. 

